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Bristol

This Bristol Brood

Family travel blog featuring all things Bristol and beyond

FRANCE

Jardins des marqueyssac

BY THE SEA

Beach silhouette - Koh Lanta Thailand

PLACES TO STAY

Family-friendly villa ibiza

BRISTOL

Clifton Suspension Bridge Bristol

Travel gear

UNDER: Places to stay Travel gear

Camping bunk beds

Camping bunk beds for kids: Hi Gear Duo Bunk review

Review - my favourite child carrier backpack - osprey poco

Osprey baby carrier: my favourite child carrier backpack

Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat - Pink

Review: Toddler travel car seat – Trunki BoostApak

Essential natural travel first aid kit for family holidays

aquarium zoo baby sling

9 reasons why an Ergobaby 360 is the best baby carrier for travel

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The loving gesture of chucking a bundle of leaves at your mother...I was pelted several hundred times as we walked down here - one of the prettiest tree-lined avenues in Bristol - on this one’s inset day. ⁣
It was a gorgeous, blue-sky winter morning, so I took the opportunity to go on a stroll across the Downs with the more-willing walker from my brood, with the promise of hot chocolate and cake at @cliftonobservatory at the end.
Where’s your favourite place to go for a wintry walk?

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The views aren’t the only eye-popping attraction @americanmuseum, near Bath. As well as a manor-full of American history, they’ve festooned the place with the Christmas decor of my dreams...like a rainbow with ALL of the colours 🌈 for their ‘Twas the night before a very colourful Christmas’ festivities. ⁣
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There’s a vibrant, interactive display dedicated to the famous poem, Christmas crafts, a trail for the kiddos including some festive games and the chance to shop some Yuletide trinkets. ⁣
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For more tinsel-tastic inspiration on things to do in and around Bristol over Christmas (101 ideas to be exact!) check out my latest blog (link in bio).⁣
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#merrybristmas #gobathbristol

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This weekend we were invited to @thegrandpier’s Santa’s cottage in Weston-super-Mare. ⁣
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I was expecting a simple meet and greet with the big man in red, but it ended up being an interactive winter wonderland adventure involving travelling through a wardrobe (complete with fur coats). Narnia fans will understand how exciting this is for a full-grown adult lady who was obsessed with the story as a youth. Oh the hours I spent trying to get through my wardrobe as a kid!⁣
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My own children don’t know the tales yet, but that didn’t matter, there was still plenty to fill them with festive wonder - a cheery elf, the chance to grab a bit of reindeer food and meet FC himself in a twinkly cottage. ⁣
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Afterwards we hit the rides and arcades inside the pier, tucked into fish and chips and had a blustery stroll on the beach. Weston sometimes gets a bad wrap but this was a great family day out. Thumbs up from us! ⁣
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#merrybristmas⁣
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(Ad-invited)

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Last night we were invited along to @westonbirtarb’s Enchanted Christmas (on until 22 Dec) - one of the most magical nights on the West Country festive calendar. We’ve been a couple of times before, but this year they’re working with a new company and it definitely has a different flavour. ⁣
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Round every twist and turn, rainbow light illuminates the woodland, creating dazzling scenes, glittering topiary and an enchanting wander through the dark. Surprises await in this fairytale world of light - keep your peepers peeled for real-life twinkling fairies, talking trees, Christmas-tune-crooning firs, the chance to play a tune on towering trunks and Father Christmas himself. ⁣
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Our kiddos were beyond excited and it’s safe to say their minds were suitably blown by what they encountered! They didn’t even ask to be carried once (a first!). ⁣
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There’s a ton of extra Yuletide merriment in the form of whacking great cream-topped hot chocolates, mulled tipples, Christmas crafts, fairground rides, (pretend) snow and Carol singers. Safe to say I’m feeling pretty festive now! ⁣
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Are you planing on seeing any festive lights this Christmas? (AD/invited) #merrybristmas #enchantedchristmas @visitbristol

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No I haven’t managed to trap these two tiny chinchillas inside a snow globe...this is the sea horse-abundant tank at @bristolaquarium (AD - gifted entry by @visitbristol). ⁣
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On this grim, soggy day, there was only one place to be and that was inside. ⁣Having visited @wethecurious_ last weekend, we headed just across the square from it, to Bristol Aquarium to delve into the darkness and discover hundreds of underwater creatures such as Gloria the octopus, tiger sharks (a name-combination that blew my kiddos’ minds), neon jellyfish (which blew my mind) and stingrays (perfect for Moana fans), exotic fish and lurking lobsters. ⁣⁣⁣
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This Christmas the aquarium will be hosting festive coral reef-themed activities (Christmas Reef geddit?) with extra workshops and a Christmas Clownfish in an anemone-style grotto during the school holidays (21 December-5 January 2020). #merrybristmas

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If it’s a spot for yodelling, singing from the treetops, or leaf-crunching winter walks you’re after, might I recommend @westonbirtarb .⁣
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Just a 25-minute drive from Bristol, it’s one of the most breathtakingly beautiful, nature-filled day trips from the city. It’s also a great one with kids as there are Gruffalos to hunt, natural wood play areas, sculptures to seek and a treetop walkway that lets you meander through the tree canopy.⁣
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During the Yuletide season, they also host one of the most spectacular Enchanted Christmas events (one of my absolute faves) - a magical mile-long illuminated, interactive festive feast for the senses (Fri-Sun 29 Nov - 22 Dec). See you there? #merrybristmas AD - gifted entry by @visitbristol

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